An octogenarian simply identified as Pastor Sobanjo and two others reportedly died, while a woman suffered miscarriage following the demolition of their shops at Jakande Estate in Isolo, some residents claimed yesterday.
Sobanjo, said to be the Senior Pastor of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Agbala Iwosan, Isolo Branch, was said to have slumped and died. The others were reportedly killed by shock.
Mrs. Chikodi Nwokoji, who suffered a miscarriage, is lying unconscious at the Isolo General Hospital. She was eight months pregnant.
According to the residents, she learnt about the demolition notice from the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) last Friday. She was told that things were under control as the residents were in touch with the government.
Her shop was demolished on Tuesday before her return from the market, where she went to buy frozen foods to stock the shop.
A resident, Olarewaju Orofin, said the woman, her family’s breadwinner, slumped and the carton she was carrying fell on her stomach.
He said: “As at last night, her husband, Cyprian said she was still unconscious in the hospital. She was bleeding heavily. The woman didn’t know that her shop would be demolished. They didn’t get their own notice till last Friday and when she asked, she was told that residents were in talks with the government.
“On Monday when we went to Alausa, we were told by the House of Assembly to go home that the issue would be discussed and that since there was already a stay of action, they won’t demolish immediately. But unfortunately, the LBIC people came on Tuesday and started demolishing.
“It shocked a lot of people and that was what caused dead and other casualties. I heard two other people died around NEPA junction. Honestly, we know that some of these structures are illegal but we still believe that government would have given the people enough time to leave. Development should have human face.
“The problem isn’t entirely government’s but that of some corrupt people at the LBIC.
“It was only three weeks ago that we knew that a notice had been served on August 16, last year, for the demolition of illegal structures. That notice was hidden from the residents and shop owners.
“When we got a notice three weeks ago reminding us of the demolition, we went to the Ministry of the Environment and were shown a copy of the letter that was sent last year. That was how we knew of the previous notice.
“There was concession between LBIC and the community in the past for retirees to have shops. But these criminals sold part of the estate without the knowledge of the landlords association and community.”
Another resident said the demolition followed petitions from the community on illegal structures built on sewage lines.
It was gathered that about 1,000 petitions were sent to the ministry by some residents over the defacing of the estate and blockage of drainages.
Another resident, Olusoji Ayodele lamented that some landlords were still selling shop spaces, despite the ongoing demolition.
He said: “Just this morning (Wednesday), police arrested a landlord and caretaker for collecting N120,000 rent from a prospective tenant. The tenant paid last month and was to take over the shop on Monday.
“However, the tenant did not and the shop was demolished on Tuesday. When he came to collect his money on Wednesday morning, the landlord refused to pay back and police arrested him. But I had to intervene and promised the police I would ensure the money is refunded.”
